Schmidt ahead in early polls

With 0 precincts reporting, Fred Schmidt has an early lead in the First Ward with 61.29 percent of the votes counted thus far. Mitch Richards has 16.13 percent, Darrell Foster has 12.90 percent and Pam Forbes has 9.68 percent. Helen Anthony is narrowly leading Glen Ehrhardt in the Fifth Ward race with 52.21 percent of the votes compared to Ehrhardt's 47.79 percent.

Both Prop 1 and 2 are affirmative so far. Prop 1, which would give stipends to council members and the mayor has approximately 66 percent of the vote so far. Prop 2, which would issue bonds for the purchase of the Columbia Energy Center, has 82.38 percent of voters supporting the initiative.